Planted around ten years ago, our estate vineyard is exclusively planted to Pinot Noir. Ideally situated at the north-east end of the Petaluma Gap, the climate is ideal for Pinot Noir.

The estate experiences moderate daytime temperatures, even by Sonoma Coast AVA standards, allowing for prolonged hang-time (for phenolic maturity) while maintaining fresh pulp (for balanced acidity). During the growing season, the average summertime diurnal shift (difference from the day’s high and low temperatures) is 30-degrees. A blanket of fog settles over the vineyard most nights during the growing season, bringing welcome cool air and moisture. Refreshing breezes during the day, chase away the fog and dry the area, limiting fungal pressures. This cool wind also leads to thick skins in the grapes, meaning more color and structure for the wines.

With high water retention soils on the estate, we have to control vigor (vine growth) through additional work in the vineyard (heading, leaf removal, lateral removal, crop thinning, etc.)

The Estate Reserve Pinot Noir is chosen from the best blocks on the property and best lots in the cellar. Extra care is given to this wine, with a different barrel program and selection process. It is a limited release wine.

Planted around ten years ago, our estate vineyard is exclusively planted to Pinot Noir. Ideally situated at the north-east end of the Petaluma Gap, the climate is ideal for Pinot Noir.

The estate experiences moderate daytime temperatures, even by Sonoma Coast AVA standards, allowing for prolonged hang-time (for phenolic maturity) while maintaining fresh pulp (for balanced acidity). During the growing season, the average summertime diurnal shift (difference from the day’s high and low temperatures) is 30-degrees. A blanket of fog settles over the vineyard most nights during the growing season, bringing welcome cool air and moisture. Refreshing breezes during the day, chase away the fog and dry the area, limiting fungal pressures. This cool wind also leads to thick skins in the grapes, meaning more color and structure for the wines.

With high water retention soils on the estate, we have to control vigor (vine growth) through additional work in the vineyard (heading, leaf removal, lateral removal, crop thinning, etc.)

The style of our Chardonnay reflects the uniqueness of Steiner Vineyard. They are highly complex on the nose and palate, leading to a very intriguing Chardonnay!

We like to say that it is a white wine for red wine drinkers.

The primary clone is “Old Wente” with it’s characteristic “Chicks and Hens”(variable berry sizes within single clusters) for varied levels of ripeness (fruitiness) and acidity that offer balance to the final wine. Having smaller berries overall leads to a higher skin (phenolic) to juice ratio, and thus the texture of the wine.

In addition, with the high elevation of Steiner vineyard, there is increased UV light exposure, leading to sun-kissed, ripe skins with a resulting silky texture with out astringency. The higher elevation also means a later bud break and later harvest (longer hang time) without accumulation of sugars (high alcohols).